LAHORE: Some 1500 cases of rabies were reported by Institute of Public Health (IPH) in Lahore including 95 per cent dog bites in the last year.

Rabies is a killer disease but it can be prevented through vaccination, said acting Vice-Chancellor of University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Prof Dr Nasim Ahmad while commenting over the report here on Tuesday.

He stressed that veterinarians should play a vital role in developing the link between animals and their owners. He also advised veterinarians to work for animal welfare, public health, food safety and food security.

He said that 75 per animals were owned by small farmers living in villages who were landless or small landholders. “They depend on livestock as a quick source of livelihood.

Veterinarians have a key role in poverty alleviation through livestock development in rural areas. A strong working relationship between veterinarians and livestock farmers is very necessary,” he added.

He said that veterinarians of Pakistan needed to use their abilities and skills in more organized and professional way to help livestock farmers in terms of animal health, nutrition, improved milk and meat production and awareness among farmers.